Glowworm

Red, Black and Yellow Centipede Like Insect
July 12, 2009
Hello Bugman. I encountered this centipede like creature while walking on an old blacktop in Central Arkansas just west of Little Rock. I have never seen something like it. Sorry that I could not get a better picture of him. At first he was crawling around free, but when I uncovered it, it curled defensively into a ball and would not stretch back out. Hopefully the distinctive colors will help.
Ben Batten
Little Rock, AR

Hi Ben,
This is actually a beetle larvae known as a Glowworm.  Sadly, you did not get to witness its bioluminescence since your sighting was during the day.  We found a very similar image on BugGuide, but your specimen has even brighter coloration.

0   I like This

Related posts:

Male Firefly Firefly Larva from Bolivia Firefly Larva? or Netwing Beetle Larva? from Malaysia Diurnal Firefly